MPs are being taught self-defence techniques used by Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad to help protect them against an attack following the murder of Jo Cox.

The training, known as 'Krav Maga', combines elements of jiu jitsu, judo, boxing and street fighting and is specifically designed to fend off gun or knive attacks.

The free lessons, which are being provided by Parli-Training, are aimed at protecting MPs against stalkers, terrorists and political extremists.

MPs will be taught how to defend themselves against swinging punches to the head and attempted knife attacks.

Westminister

Two MPs as well as 18 assistants attended the first Krav Maga training session a in Whitehall on Thursday, according to the company’s founder Mendora Ogbogbo.

The latest attempt to protect MPs comes just months after the brutal murder of Jo Cox, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot and stabbed in her constituency.

Ms Ogbogbo said: ‘We are teaching them techniques where if someone comes at them with a knife or a gun, they can disarm the weapons and then run. They are not being taught how to fight.

"Another technique we are teaching them is called the 'rhino', where they know how to cover the vulnerable parts of their heads when someone is punching them. This will give them a vital three or four minutes before someone intervenes.

"We also teach a method where if someone is lying on top of them in a fight, they can wriggle from under them and run."

In June The Telegraph revealed a large number of Labour MPs had been forced to call in the police over death threats in the last 48 hours after they refused to back Jeremy Corbyn.

Last month Angela Eagle had a brick thrown through the window of her constituency office and has been inundated with abusive phone calls after announcing her bid to become Labour leader.

The former shadow business secretary’s aides called the police after the incident in her constituency in Wallasey, Merseyside, which was said to have left staff “shaken”.

In June security chiefs were accused of ignoring warnings that MPs needed more security protection, after deeming them "busy people" who shouldn't be "bothered" with extra advice or training.

Parliament's security services were reportedly "complacent" in responding to a report published earlier this year, which found four out of five MPs have been victims of intrusive or aggressive behaviour.

A team of psychiatrists working with the Home Office were told that current provisions were sufficient to protect MPs, despite complaints of attackers wielding knives and hammers. MPs were instead left to “learn the hard way”, a source close to the report said.